Dr. Louis Paul Sterling DDS

Dentist

87 Elmira Street Staten Island NY, 10306 Show map

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About

Dr. Louis Sterling is a Dentist practicing in Staten Island, NY. Dr. Sterling specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases and conditions associated with the mouth and overall dental health. Dentists are trained to carry out such treatment as professional cleaning, restorative, prosthodontic, and endodontic procedures, and performing examinations, among many others. Dr. Sterling offers pet therapy, special care for apprehensive patients. Dr. Sterling also offers the services of Orthodontics for his patients. This service is provided by Dr. Sara Skurnick, widely recognized as one of the finest orthodontists on Staten Island. As a faculty member of UMDNJ (now Rutgers Dental College), she helped train several orthodontists on Staten Island and in the Tri-state area.

Education and Training

NYU College of Dentistry DDS 1984

Provider Details

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Dr. Louis Paul Sterling DDS

Dr. Louis Paul Sterling DDS's Expert Contributions

My Answers

Are teeth bridges permanent?
There are removable and cemented-in (fixed) bridges. I assume that you are asking about cemented in bridges. These bridges are cemented in place and treated like your own teeth. They are brushed and flossed like your own natural teeth. But if by permanent you mean forever, then the answer is NO. A well made, properly sealed and maintained fixed bridge will last from 10-25 years depending on how YOU care for it and what kind of things you eat. Sticky, hard foods will decrease the life expectancy of the bridge by pulling on the cement seal and/or damaging the porcelain structure of the bridge. READ MORE
Which is cheaper metal braces or Invisalign?
Generally, braces are cheaper, faster and will give a better result than invisalign. Invisalign charges a very large lab fee that must be passed along to the patient. That is why Invisalign treatment usually costs more. READ MORE
What do I do if my dental implant crown is loose?
Immediately go see your dentist. There can be several different reasons for a loose crown on your implant. By neglecting this, you take a chance on losing the ability to have the crown tightened and losing the chance to utilize the implant to support another (or this) crown! READ MORE
What is the best selling denture adhesive?
Basically they all have similar ingredients and properties. If your dentures are slightly loose you are best off using an adhesive powder (on a wet denture). If you need more hold, use a paste (on a dry denture). If you need lots of paste, either have your dentures relined or remade. READ MORE
Is bridging better than implant?
If you have enough solid bone in a favorable location to place an implant, it is better to place an implant than a Bridge. If the teeth on either side of your missing tooth have already been prepared for crowns, then it is fine to remove the crowns and place a cemented-in Bridge. Your implant with a single crown will probably last longer then a bridge that is cemented onto teeth next to your space. READ MORE
Is Invisalign painful?
I would describe the sensation for as annoying, until you get used to wearing your trays and having your teeth move during treatment. I have never had a patient complain of pain during Invisalign therapy. READ MORE
What is the cheapest way to replace a missing molar tooth?
The cheapest way to replace a tooth is to have it replaced with a removable appliance. See your dentist for the options that apply to your particular case. READ MORE
Should underbite be corrected?
There are people who function fine and feel fine about the way they look with a small "underbite" (aka class III malocclusion). However many people do not feel good about their smile or have difficulty functioning with this malocclusion. Moreover, people can develop TMJ problems when functioning with ANY malocclusion. If you decide to have this treated, proper diagnosis is vital before any treatment is done. Is the malocclusion dental or skeletal in origin? This will determine if your issue can be treated with braces only or a combination of braces and surgery. Make sure that your orthodontist has treated many class III patients before and is very experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of class III malocclusions. READ MORE
Is bone grafting necessary for getting a dental implant?
If you are already missing teeth and you have sufficient height, thickness and quality of bone present in the surgical site, then no bone grafting is necessary. If you are having a tooth extracted and having an implant placed afterwards, unless the implant can be placed immediately after the tooth is extracted, it is wise to place a bone graft in the extraction site. The graft helps maintain the height, width and thickness of the bone as it heals, in preparation for placing the implant(s). READ MORE
Do small cavities need to be filled?
YES!!!! Small cavities, if left untreated, will develop into larger ones and eventually cause pain, infection, or loss of your tooth. READ MORE
Do you need anesthesia for cavity filling?
Depends on the size of the cavity, the gentleness of your dentist, your anxiety level, and your tolerance towards any discomfort you may feel. For very small cavities, you probably don't need to be numb. For anything approaching a moderate level of tooth involvement, I recommend that you have local anesthesia. Both you and your dentist will be more relaxed. READ MORE
How long does tooth bonding last on front teeth?
This depends on how large the bonded area is if there is enamel around all sides of the bonding, what kind of hygiene you practice, the kind of diet you have, your habits, your bite. So, as you see, there are many variables affecting the longevity of a bonded tooth. Discuss this with your dentist. READ MORE
Should I take antibiotics after having a root canal?
If you have no swelling or infection before the root canal treatment is done, there is no indication to take antibiotics after the treatment has been completed (unless you develop swelling of your face or inside your mouth). READ MORE
Do braces fix teeth permanently?
When done correctly, braces place your teeth in a more harmonious location with your jawbones and facial muscles. The crowns of your teeth (the part of the tooth in your mouth is called the crown) are placed within your jawbones and are generally placed over your roots (the part of the tooth inside your bone). Although this is a stable position for the teeth to stay in, you must wear retainers to hold the position of your teeth. If you do not wear retainers, while you sleep, FOREVER, your teeth will gradually shift as they remember their original positions and seek to return there. Your tooth position is also affected by facial growth. So if you complete treatment before you finish growing it is especially important to continue wearing retainers every night. READ MORE
How can I straighten my teeth without braces or Invisalign?
You cannot actually straighten your teeth without Invisalign or braces or some kind of Orthodontic Appliance. Depending on what you are looking to accomplish there are times that you can make your teeth appear to be straighter by covering them with laminate or crowns. But this is a much more invasive procedure. With Invisalign or braces, you are not actually cutting your teeth and putting anything on top of them. READ MORE
Can I use mouthwash with a dental bridge?
Short answer is yes. If the bridge is cemented in, then brush, floss, rinse just like your own teeth. If the bridge is removable, then it should be removed and cleaned outside your mouth. Your dental hygiene should be done with the removable bridge out of your mouth. If you just want to freshen your mouth and do a quick rinse, then there is no harm in leaving your removable bridge in while you rinse. READ MORE
What are the disadvantages of root canal?
Root canal therapy is a procedure to remove damaged or dead pulp. After the pulp chamber and root canal are cleaned out and reshaped, the canal is filled with a rubber-like substance called gutta percha to prevent recontamination, and the tooth is permanently sealed. Treatment usually involves one to three appointments. After cleaning and reshaping, the dentist may seal the tooth with a temporary crown, leave it open to drain or fill the canals, depending on the tooth’s condition. A topical medication also may be applied in the area to fight bacteria. Temporary fillings will be removed on subsequent visits. If the tooth is still weak after the pulp chamber and canal are filled, a metal post or fiber-reinforced resin post may be used to reinforce the tooth. Finally, the area is permanently sealed, and usually, a gold, porcelain-fused-to-metal or ceramic crown is placed over the tooth to reinforce its structure and improve its appearance. Tissue inflammation in the area may cause some discomfort. This usually can be controlled with over-the-counter pain relievers. Aftercare includes maintaining regular visits with your dentist, brushing and flossing your teeth and avoiding chewing hard foods with the treated tooth. On rare occasions, new infections may occur. This happens for a variety of reasons, including an undetected crack in the root of the tooth, a defective restoration or the break-down of an inner sealing material. In these cases, additional follow-up and treatment may be necessary. The only alternative to root canal therapy is extraction of the infected tooth. This can eventually cause the surrounding teeth to move, which may result in a bad bite that ultimately requires an implant or bridge. It’s always best to keep your original tooth if possible, and root canal therapy allows you to do so. READ MORE
How can I tighten my loose tooth at home?
See your dentist for an evaluation. The only way to have a loose tooth tighten up is if the cause of the loose tooth is a very heavy, traumatic bite that puts excessive forces on the tooth. This may cause a tooth to loosen in its socket. If this bite is corrected, the tooth may tighten up (if the damage hasn't gone too far). READ MORE
What happens if bleeding doesn't stop after tooth extraction?
Some bleeding is normal after a dental extraction. The amount depends on the size of the hole left behind, the condition of the gums around the extraction site, whether or not a coagulating agent and/or sutures were placed at the extraction site, the medical condition of the patient, your post extraction care (excessive rinsing will increase bleeding) and finally, the skill of the surgeon. You also need to differentiate between oozing and active bleeding. You will continue to see blood residue on a gauze for 18-24 hours after the extraction. This is oozing. Your mouth should not be filling with blood. That is bleeding. Placing ice near the extraction site and pressing on a wet tea bag at the extraction site, will both help control bleeding. If you cannot control the bleeding despite taking these steps, return to your dentist/oral surgeon or go to your local hospital emergency room for treatment. READ MORE
Can you have cavities if you have a crown?
I assume that you are talking about the tooth that has the crown also getting a cavity. The answer is absolutely yes! I have seen many patients develop cavities at the margin of where the crown ends and the tooth begins. Usually this happens between the teeth and is due to lack of flossing to remove debris from between teeth. READ MORE